Rams show interest in return game

Most of the pre-draft talk on the Rams has concerned the need for more
defensive help. Or a tight end. Or even the possibility of taking a quarterback
in the first round.

But all along, the Rams have done a lot of evaluation designed to improved
their return game - or lack thereof.

A lot of games have gone by since the heyday of Tony Horne on kickoff returns
and Az-Zahir Hakim on punt returns. The Rams haven't finished among the top 10
in the NFL in punt returns since 2002 and in kickoff returns since 1999.

They haven't been anywhere close to that lately. Last season, they ranked 29th
in punt returns and 23rd in kickoff returns; in 2004, they finished 31st in
both categories.

But it looks like the Rams are determined to change that. No fewer than seven
of the 33 players brought into Rams Park for pre-draft visits earlier this
month had some kind of kick return experience in college.

Some also play defensive back, or wide receiver, or running back. Or in the
case of Miami's Devin Hester, he plays a little bit of everything.

Hester and UCLA's Maurice Drew are the highest-profile returners who visited
Rams Park. Over his college career with the Hurricanes, Hester returned four
punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns. He has ranked as high as sixth
nationally in both kickoff returns (in 2003) and punt returns (in 2004).

The secret to his success? "It's really not any secret," Hester said. "It's
just natural instinct. I'm a visual-type player who can see things before they
happen."

What NFL teams can't see is where to play Hester when he's not returning kicks.
He has dabbled at cornerback, running back, and wide receiver, without truly
excelling at any. But Hester's explosiveness as a return man alone should make
him a second- or third-round pick in the draft.

Throughout his college career, Drew was the "other" back in Los Angeles,
playing second fiddle to Southern Cal's Reggie Bush. But Drew put up impressive
numbers of his own, combining for more than 3,300 yards rushing and receiving.

Drew's work as a return man was somewhat limited, but electric nonetheless.
Over the course of his college career, he averaged 23.2 yards on 25 punt
returns - four of which went for TDs. Meanwhile, he averaged 24.6 yards on 32
kickoff returns, including two TDs.

There are some concerns about Drew's height - he's only 5-6 1/2. The way he
holds the football has some scouts concerned about the possibility of too many
fumbles in the NFL.

Even so, his ability to return kicks adds value to what probably will be a
solid future in the NFL as a third-down back.

"I think it's a very big plus," Drew said. "A lot of people don't want to go
back there and return punts, just because it's dangerous. ...You've got to be
able to concentrate on catching the ball and making a play."

Were the Rams to seriously consider drafting Drew, his resume as a running back
is such that they might have to take him in the second round (No. 46 overall).
He may not be there when they pick in the third (No. 77).

One of the most experienced return men in this year's draft class comes from
Hazelwood East High via the University of Wisconsin. Wide receiver Brandon
Williams is only the second player in NCAA Division I-A history with more than
2,000 yards receiving and 2,000 yards in returns.

By the numbers, last season was Williams' best as a returner. He averaged 28
yards a return on 22 kickoffs, and 14.6 yards on 26 punt returns. He returned
two punts for TDs.

Williams, who projects as a third-round pick, is on the small side at 5-10, 179
pounds. But he should have value in the NFL as a slot receiver. After finishing
with 2,974 receiving yards for the Badgers, he doesn't want to get pigeon-holed
as just a return man.

"That would be a concern to someone like me," Williams said. "In my career I
broke the Wisconsin record for most receptions in a career. ... So I'm not just
a returner. I go get the rock."

Other players with return experience who made pre-draft visits to Rams Park
were Florida State cornerback Antonio Cromartie; Fresno State cornerback
Richard Marshall; Abilene Christian defensive back Danieal Manning; and
Lindenwood running back-defensive back DeDe Dorsey.

Although he missed the entire 2005 season with a knee injury, Cromartie looks
like a sure first-round pick. He returned kickoffs for the Seminoles in 2003
and '04.

Manning had three kickoff returns for TDs and three punt returns for scores for
Abilene Christian. Five of those six returns TDs went for 59 yards or more.

* * * * * *

MANY UNHAPPY RETURNS

A look at where the Rams have ranked among 32 NFL teams in average punt
and kick return yards in recent seasons:

Re: Rams show interest in return game

Re: Rams show interest in return game

Our special teams have sucked since letting Hakim go. Special teams win games guys. Watch the draft for selections to improve that element of the Ram's game. Get some hungry rookie talent, mix in some veteran smarts (something Martz refused to do), and you have yourself a team that will compete for the championship.